Run, Ride and SURF

I had a very active weekend as usual. In addition to the craziness of moving, I had the opportunity to participate in all three of my sports. I think I mentioned in another post that I'm training for a marathon, which requires long runs. This weekend's training plan required a 16-mile run. Fortunately, I have some other friends training for some runs, so I was invited to train with them this weekend in Memorial Park in town. What a fun way to run! I hadn't been to Memorial Park in ages, and I had never been there to run. Hundreds were on the trail, which was exciting to see. One of my friends and I ran the 16 with relative ease. It was a great start to the weekend on Saturday morning.

On Sunday, despite the cool temps and cloudy weather, I participated in a cycling club ride to a local coffee shop. I finished with 36 miles, and had a ball the whole time I was out. It was a little windy, but what fun we had! I'm so glad I was able to go. I checked the wave/webcam before the ride, and the waves didn't look great. My surf contact said it was incredibly cold and that he wasn't planning to surf himself. He had lessons to give, but hadn't even bothered to bring a board for himself. But, when I looked at the webcam after I rode, I thought it looked a little better. I had some lunch plans on the island with my family, so I opted to pack a board just in case... I'm so glad I did.

Several people were out at 39th.
I opted to go out at 33rd.

I drove down the Seawall looking for parking near my usual surf spots at 39th and 45th, but because the sun had come out and the air temp had warmed considerably, the beach was packed. I found a parking spot between the 33rd and 34th Street jetties.  I had never surfed there, but was willing to give it a try. I noticed as I was leaving that several people were out at 39th (as you can see by the picture).  However, I'm glad I went out at 33rd. I was able to take the rip out, and although it was quite rough, the small chop was enough to give me several fabulous rides. I hopped from one wave to another at least once. I needed a little wax on my rails and had one bad tumble when my hand slipped off the board as I was popping up. But, even that was refreshing. It felt good to be back out in the water. I'm so glad I made it out. Life is about experiences. Every time I participate in any of my sports, I have an experience -- an experience that changes me more often than not for the better. It's important to keep having experiences -- to keep moving, seeing, living...

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” 
― Albert Einstein

Inching Closer to Summer

I'm definitely ready for summer. However, I have to admit FINALLY, after four short years, that the waves are better in the winter just as a cold front moves through and the north wind blows a little. Of

It was fun to see Disney
characters standing
on the side of Broadway in
Galveston assisting with
a grand opening.

course, it requires also being in the right place at the right time. I think I've written about it before, but it's worth repeating. Last week, the cold front came through during the middle of the week...as usual. I'm always at work when the fronts move through. I sometimes read about it on g-townsurf.com, and then I see the photos and realize I've missed the best waves of the week, month, year... I'm sure I haven't really, but it sure feels like it. Lately, we've had a little bit of a warm spell, which is supposed to change this weekend when really cold weather returns. Despite the warm air temps, the water temps are still hovering in the 60s, which is still quite cool. Although some surfers/swimmers are able to paddle out without wetsuits, I'm still wearing a 3-2 and glad to be doing so.

Friday is one of my usual days to surf. However, this past Friday, I had such a crazy, busy schedule that I knew I probably wouldn't have time to surf. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on your perspective, there were no waves. I had a full schedule for Saturday with my marathon training, bike riding and MOVING, so I knew I wouldn't make it down to Galveston. Sunday wasn't much better. It's too bad about Sunday. The waves were nice early on Sunday, but I had too many things to do to make it to Galveston early. I had plans to go down a little later, but I wasn't sure I would be able to surf. In fact, I was pretty certain that I just wouldn't have enough time to squeeze in any surf time. While driving down the seawall later, I saw many people out. The waves by that time were rough, but at least the waves provided some surf for all the surfers. Most of them had wetsuits, but a few just had rash guards and bathing suits. The air temps were warm on Sunday and that has carried through the first few days of the week; however, by Friday, it's forecasted to be cold again. Brrrrrr....It probably won't keep me from surfing, but I sure wish it would be warmer. Well, in just six short weeks, I'll probably be wishing for April again. We'll see.

Surfing Again, at Last

It's been a little over two weeks...actually, almost three...since I've been surfing. The waves always seem to come during the work week when I can't make it out. I was hoping for some waves on Friday afternoon because I knew that I would be working on Saturday (UHCL introduced it's new mascot -- the Hawk), and I wouldn't be able to surf if the waves were good. Friday was too messy according to my surfing contacts, and, fortunately, so was Saturday. My report early today (Sunday) was that it was messy again. I decided to run instead and got in five miles, but once I returned home and looked at the Galveston web cam, I decided I must go down.  I'm incredibly busy lately, but I felt like a good surf session would help strengthen my soul.

I surfed at 37th today instead of
my usual 43rd Street jetty.

Since I have my first marathon coming up in June, I needed to run today. I also had some responsibilities at church this morning, so I knew even if the waves had been decent, I wouldn't make it down this morning as early as I would have liked. I really prefer getting down to the beach by 7 a.m. because fewer surfers are usually out at that time -- usually just the locals.  I also had a lunch scheduled with my mother and father, but I was able to convince them to eat in Galveston. Once lunch was over, I drove over to the Seawall, which was full of other enjoying April. Although the sun was shining, the temps were a little on the cool side, which meant that I would probably need a wetsuit. (The water temps were quite cool too.) I found a parking spot on the hotel side of the Seawall between 36th and 37th and opted to surf there. Waves were breaking beyond the jetty, but they weren't all holding up very well. I made my way out and immediately turned back toward the beach when I saw a powerful wave come my way. I caught whitewater but it was still incredible to be out surfing again. I caught several more whitewater waves while I was out and was able to practice turning and looking forward instead of down. I wanted to catch some waves as they were breaking instead of just catching strong whitewater, but only accomplished that once. I definitely need more consistent practice. I can't go two weeks between sessions. Just like my running and cycling, I need to surf more. As the water warms, the days get longer and the busy-ness subsides, I'm sure I will be able to do that.